Stewart Downing believes Liverpool's expensive rebuilding programme puts them back in contention for title honours in the top flight. Downing has made an impressive contribution to Liverpool's unbeaten start after his £20m move from Aston Villa.
He said: "We've certainly got the quality to challenge. It's going to be difficult because Manchester City have strengthened and have got a hell of a squad while Manchester Utd have started really well.
"We've got a hell of a chance of doing it but we have got to pick up points and stay in and around that pack to have a chance of doing that."
Downing added: "No disrespect to the other clubs, but at Liverpool they are expecting to win games. You can see the expectation, spending big and having a pretty big revamp. We've started very well. We don't want to look too far ahead because you could slip up.
"You can sense the expectations. It was a difficult couple of seasons with stuff going on with the owners and that but now there is a buzz around the place.
"The new owners have come in and shown their intentions by spending good money on players and revamping it so expectation goes up and Liverpool fans always want to see success. If the team keeps playing the way it is at the minute then we have got a hell of a chance of succeeding."
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